Colorado Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 64 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Colorado? See your options under Colorado law →
Colorado ranks #34 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 64 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Colorado Compare to the National Average?
Colorado is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.1% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 4.0%, and total debt per capita at $92,690.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Colorado has risen 4.6pp and total household debt has grown 25.4%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Colorado
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Colorado has climbed from the 28th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 27th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 55.2 to 52.6 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. Colorado's State Distress Index of 43.3 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Colorado vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Colorado vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Colorado (#34) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 43.3 | moderate-low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Virginia | 44.9 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Washington | 44.9 | moderate-low state distress | Labor |
| Massachusetts | 42.6 | moderate-low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.5% | 11.1% | +4.6pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.4% | 4.0% | +0.6pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.41% | 0.75% | +0.3pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $73,890 | $92,690 | +25.4% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,820 | $4,910 | +28.5% | $4,350 |
Colorado Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Colorado primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
Colorado uses a unique Public Trustee foreclosure system — one of only a few states where an elected county official (the Public Trustee) conducts the foreclosure sale rather than a private trustee or sheriff.
Full Colorado foreclosure law guide →Strong Safety Net as Partial Buffer
Despite higher distress metrics, Colorado's safety net score of 56.6 (Moderate) provides a partial buffer that many states lack. Medicaid covers 16.0% of the population, the Homeowner Assistance Fund remains active, and state foreclosure protections add additional guardrails. Even so, the Distress Index reads 43.3 (moderate-low state distress) — safety nets slow crises, they don't prevent them.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Colorado on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Colorado's 64 counties average 42.9 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costilla County | 80.6 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Las Animas County | 73.7 | high county distress | Labor |
| Pueblo County | 71.7 | high county distress | Labor |
| Otero County | 68.4 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Alamosa County | 64.5 | moderate-high county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Costilla County ranks #133 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custer County | 21.5 | low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Douglas County | 23.0 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Phillips County | 24.4 | low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Jackson County | 24.7 | low county distress | Labor |
| Elbert County | 25.9 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Colorado's most and least distressed counties is 59.1 points — Costilla County (80.6, very high county distress) vs. Custer County (21.5, low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 64 Colorado counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Colorado
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 8,502 mortgage complaints from Colorado since 2012 — 144.7 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Colorado ranks #12 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 510 | 539 | 514 | 429 | 456 | 489 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Colorado
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Colorado's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Colorado
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 9.4% of Colorado residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 13.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 30.5% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Colorado
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Colorado
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Colorado scores 56.6 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #14 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Colorado?
The credit card delinquency rate in Colorado is 11.1% as of Q4 2025, ranking #30 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.5% in 2019.
How does Colorado's household debt compare to the national average?
Colorado residents carry $92,690 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 25.4% since 2019. Colorado ranks #2 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Colorado?
Auto loan delinquency in Colorado stands at 4.0% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #32 nationally. The rate has risen from 3.4% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Colorado use?
Colorado primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Colorado foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Colorado above or below the national average for financial distress?
Colorado scores 43.3 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), ranking #34 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 6.7 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Colorado?
The CFPB has received 8,502 mortgage complaints from Colorado since 2012, a rate of 144.7 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #12 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.1% of Colorado complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Colorado?
Colorado had 8,641 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 145.0 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 81% and Chapter 13 for 17.6%. Filings changed +15.3% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Colorado have debt in collections?
9.4% of individuals in Colorado have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #43 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 13.0% of Colorado residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Colorado?
578,666 residents of Colorado receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.7% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -6.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 7.3%.
How strong is Colorado's financial safety net?
Colorado scores 56.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #14 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (16% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.7%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Colorado counties have the highest financial distress?
Costilla County is the most distressed county in Colorado with a County Distress Index score of 80.6 · very high county distress, ranking #133 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Las Animas County (73.7 · high county distress), Pueblo County (71.7 · high county distress), Otero County (68.4 · moderate-high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Custer County is the least distressed at 21.5 · low county distress. See all 64 counties at /counties/colorado/.
How long can foreclosure take in Colorado?
Colorado uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. In Colorado, the bank can foreclose in roughly 195–270 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: 110 days after the first publication of the Combined Notice — approximately 15 d…. The homestead exemption is $250,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/colorado/.
Where does Colorado rank for financial distress?
Colorado scores 43.3 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), ranking #34 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #14 (Moderate).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Colorado Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.